Published Jun 15, 2026, 5:00 AM EDT
The cancellation raises questions about how Pentagon anti-DEI policies apply to military recognition events.
For nearly three decades, lawmakers, military leaders and veterans gathered at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial near Arlington National Cemetery to honor the contributions of women who served in the armed forces. This year, that tradition abruptly ended. The Bipartisan Women’s Caucus canceled its 28th Annual Women in Military Service wreath laying ceremony after several military branches declined to participate, citing Pentagon guidance connected to the Trump administration’s effort to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs throughout the federal government. Organizers canceled the ceremony after multiple military branches declined to participate due to executive orders and Defense Department guidance restricting DEI-related activities, according to the Bipartisan Women’s Caucus. The event had traditionally featured military honor guards and participation from the services. Without that involvement, organizers concluded that the ceremony could not proceed in its customary form. The decision has sparked criticism from lawmakers and advocates, raising a broader question of where the Pentagon draws the line between DEI programs and historical recognition.
